Tag Archives: Juvenile Diabetes

The North Pole came to Neponsit Beach for a night and the community celebrated Christmas in style.

Lights showered Joe Mure’s Neponsit Avenue home where he hosted his annual “Little North Pole” event to benefit juvenile diabetes on Saturday. A Christmas display surrounded the house and close to 5,000 people came to see the show, Mure said, including local elected officials, community leaders and thousands of borough residents.

The spectacle raised roughly $200,000 which will go directly to juvenile diabetes research.

Local joints such as Vetro, Lenny’s Clam Bar and Lucy’s sausage and peppers donated heaps of food and local performers sang and danced through the night.

“We put smiles on every single face that was out there,” Mure said. “We put on a show that was both appropriate and great for both kids and adults.”

Then, Santa Claus came to town, riding a sled perched on a flatbed. Several emergency vehicles followed him with their sirens on and lights swirling.

“If you sat out there, you watched Santa Claus show up with the sirens and lights from the sky, you would have a memory of Christmas that will last you a lifetime,” Mure said.

The Little North Pole, a tradition held for nearly two decades, was put on hold last year after Sandy. But now, Mure said they are back, “stronger and brighter than ever.”

“We live in the heart of Rockaway. A year ago, we had nothing,” he said. “I think the kickoff of the Little North Pole was some sort of proof that we’re alive, we’re back.”

It might have taken the Mets 50 years for a no-hitter, but the people of Howard Beach worked and walked to strike out Juvenile Diabetes this past weekend.

Hundreds gathered to raise money and awareness and show support for those with Juvenile Diabetes at the Fourth Annual South Queens Juvenile Diabetes Walk-A-Thon to Cure Diabetes, held Saturday, June 2. The event raised about $75,000 to go toward research, and the day sought to make strides toward finding a cure.

Joseph Mure, one of the Walk’s organizers, said the masses of attendees were “all here to support one thing: to help find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. We want to find a way to find a cure as quickly as possible for these children.”

The 5k walk started at the Ave Maria Catholic Academy, went through Old Howard Beach and around New Howard Beach, before returning to Ave Maria’s parking lot. The walk was organized and sponsored by International Society of Saints Cosma and Damiano, and featured appearances by Goumba Johnny of WKTU; Joe Causi of WCBS; State Senator Joseph Addabbo; Councilmember Eric Ulrich; and the Islanders Ice Girls.

Though there had been concerns about poor weather that morning, the sun came out just before the walk started. “I think based on what the weather forecast was we did very well,” said Joe De Candia, the walk’s organizer.

This was the first year Lisa Lampman of Ozone Park was taking part. She said several family members have diabetes and she wanted to do whatever it took to lend a hand. Aside from walking, Lapman said she had volunteered to serve food afterwards.

“I’d do anything I can to help cure the disease,” she said.

In the last four years, the walk has raised about $400,000 to go directly toward research for JDRF. “Four hundred thousand dollars in four years, we’re pretty impressed with those numbers for a one-day event in a small community,” De Candia said.

The Fourth Annual South Queens Juvenile Diabetes Walk-A-Thon to Cure Diabetes in Howard Beach will take place this Saturday, June 2 at 10:30 a.m. – starting at the Ave Maria Catholic Academy. Participants can begin to register at 9 a.m.

The goal of the walk is to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF), which will go toward researching a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.

The three mile/5k walk is sponsored by The International Society of Saints Cosma and Damiano, and will feature Goumba Johnny of radio station KTU; Joe Causi from 101.1 WCBS FM; Tony Sirico, best known for playing “Paulie Walnuts” on “The Sopranos”; and local politicians. Pedro Beato, a Mets relief pitcher from Queens, might possibly appear as well, according to Joe De Candia – the walk’s organizer.

A free breakfast provided by Panera Bread will be available, De Candia said, and Applebees will supply hamburgers and hot dogs for lunch.

The 101.1 Street Team will have a booth set up and will broadcast from the Walk, which starts in Old Howard Beach. There will also be clowns, balloon artists and rides. Sparky the Dragon, the New York Islanders mascot, and the Islanders Ice Girls will appear as well, De Candia said.

Since the walk began in 2009, it has raised more than $100,000 to donate to JDRF. This year, De Candia said they hope to reach $100,000, with the state of the economy.